Depression-position finder.



No. 720,843. 7 PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903. W. G. PETERS.

HOOK 0R ATTACHMENT DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

1n: mums PETE-RS o0, maro-uffla. wnsumaron. a. c,

No. 720,844. PATEliTEDBEB. 1?. 1903. w. c. RAFFERTY, DEPRESSIONPGSITIONYPINDEYR,

APPLICATION mum my 11, 1897.- 30 110mm. a sums-sum: 2.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Nu. 720,844. PATENTBD FEB. 17,1903.

W. 0. RAPFBR Y. DEPRESSION POSITION FINDER.

. APPL'IOATIOH FILED MAY 11 1897.

K0 MODEL. 7 6 SHEETS-SHEET 3 WRTNESSES:

' 1 ATTORNEYS m: mans Wins 50.. mom-um. wnsmnmu, a c.

PATE'NTE'D FEB. 17, 19.03.

, w. 0. RAEFBBTY.

DEPRESSION @OSITION-HNDER.

APPLICATION FILED mm 11, 1897.

N0 MODEL.

I myamoa W WITNESSES N0. 720,844. PATENTED FEB.17, 1903.

. W. o. RAPPERTY; DEPRESSION POSITION FINDER.

APPLICATION F ILEI) MAY 11, 1897.

H0 HODEL- 6 SHBETS-SHEET 5.

' V wuniilinifpml gap 1 1 mii WITNESSES:

THE Roam: crzns 50.. mcvoumu, wumumun, n. c.

No. 720,844. PATENTED FEB. 17, 1903.

W. 0. RAPFERTY. DEPRESSION POSITION FINDER.

APPLICATION PIL'BD MATH, 1897.

N0 MODEL. 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

WITNESSES: fiqlNVENTOR I I -j "AITORNEYJJ r 1: mums P511315 90. Pupmuma.vmsnmswu, n: c

wire STATES WILLIAM C. RAFFERTY, OF GOVERNORS ISLAND, NEYV YORK.

DEPRESSION-POSlTlON FlNDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 720,844, dated February17, 1903.

Application filed May 11, 1897. Serial No. 636,124. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM G. RAFFERTY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Governors Island, in the county and State of New York, haveinvented a certain new and useful Depression-Position Finder, of whichthe following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to mechanically locate the position of adistant object by polar coordinates from any point which is elevatedabove the position of the object, the degree of such elevation beingknown. The polar coordinates are the distance or range of the objectfrom the point named and the angle made by the line joining these twowith any known line, such as the north and south line.

This invention provides mechanism for obtaining both the range and theangle and at the same time enables these results to be read by theoperator with rapidity and accuracy.

The invention further comprehends mechanism for providing in locatingthe distant object for the influence due to refraction, the rise andfall of tide, and the contour of the surface of the earth, as will behereinafter specifically set forth.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which-Figure l is a plan view of the position-finder. Fig. 2 is a sideelevation, partly in section. Fig. 3 is an end view, partly in section,of a portion of the apparatus, comprising chiefly the telescope and itsadjusting medium. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a graduated range-disk shownin section in Fig. 3 and a portion of its coacting mechanism. Figs. 5and 6 are enlarged detail views illustrating the moving index shown inFig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail view, partly in section, of one ofthe adjusting-posts shown in Fig. 4. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are enlargeddetail views, the first two being partly in section, illustratingadjusting mechanism to be hereinafter specifically described. Fig. 11 isa side view of the actuating-pinion shown in plan in Fig. 1, and Fig. 12is a detached detail view illustrating a modification to be hereinafterreferred to.

It is important that the device of this invention be so supported as tobe readily leveled and maintained in that position. In the drawings itis shown as mounted upon a circular foundation, although it is notimportant that the foundation should have such form.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, A designates the circular foundation,having in this instance three brackets B, secured to the upper portionthereof. These brackets are illustrated on an enlarged scale in Fig. 10.As there shown, they are secured to the foundation A by means of screws13. b designates an outwardly-projecting arm provided intermediate ofits ends with a groove or channel 5 and at or near its free end with arecess 5 through which passes a set-screw h, provided preferably, with amilled head If. A level ing-screw O coacts with each of the brackets B.As here shown, it is provided with ascrewthreaded portion 0, an enlargedand preferably exteriorly-milled portion 0', and the head 0 the lowerextremity of which engages with the groove or channel 17 c designates aspring-plate secured at the inner end to the bracket B by means of screw0 and provided at its outer end withaperforation with which engage thethreads upon the screw Z7 By means of said screw the plate 0 is adjustedtoward and from the outwardly-extending arm b of the bracket B.Intermediate of its ends the plate 0 is provided with a recess 0 withinwhich is embraced the reduced portion 0 of the head 0 It will beunderstood that the cities of the plate 0 is to hold said head firmly inengagement with the groove or channel b of the bracket-arm Z)". W'hen itis desired to free the leveling-screw C, it is only necessary to easethe tension of the screw 5 and swing the plate 0 so that its recess 0shall no longer engage the reduced portion a of the head of theleveling-screw. The plate c will carry with it the screw 17*, which,owing to the swinging of said plate,will carry said screw out of therecess b and its milled head Z9 therefore out of engagement with theunder side of the outwardly-extending portion h of the bracket B. Asabove indicated, the three leveling-screws and their coaeting mechanismare the same in construction and operation.

D designates the supporting-frame, provided with outwardly-extendingarms d, the function of which will be presently described. Thissupporting frame is provided with threaded perforations d, formed in theoutwardly-extending portions cl of the frame D, with which engage thethreaded portions 0 of the leveling-screws G. Since the supportingframeD carries the mechanism hereinafter described, it is obvious that thewhole may be quickly and reliably leveled by means of the screws C. Theframe D is provided with a central aperture LP, to which is secured,preferably by means of bolts (1 a sleeve d which receives the pivot E.The lower end of the sleeve d is provided with a bearing d having ascrew d coacting with a screw d secured to the lower end of the pivot E.

F designates a ring provided in its upper surface with an annular slot fand upon its periphery with teeth f. This ring F is supported by meansof the outwardly-extending arms d of the frame D. It will of course beunderstood that the exact shape herein described of the support D isimmaterial and has been adopted chiefly for convenience and to decreasethe weight of the device as a whole.

G designates a graduated ring or annulus mounted in the slot fof thering F and having movement therein. This ring or annulus G (shown indetail in Fig. 9) is provided, at or near its lower edge in thepresentinstance, with teeth with which engage corresponding teeth formedupon apinion g, mounted upon a shaft g. Thispinion and its shaft aresupported in a bearing 9 and the end of said shaft terminates in amilled headed screw 9 to which said shaft is secured by the nut g Asshown in Figs. 8 and 9, the upper surface of the ring or annulus G isdepressed below the corresponding surface of the ring F, and its undersurface rests in the bottom of the slotf, formed in the latter ring. Itwill thus be seen that the ring or annulus G has movement within theslot fentirely independent of any movement of the ring F and that thismovement is governed by the pinion g.

The graduated ring or annulus G forms what is termed the main limb ofthe device. The upper limb consists of a plate H, centrally supportedupon and secured to the center E. This upper limb or plate is shown inplan in Fig. 1. Its ends are provided with roller-bearings I.Asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the latter consists of brackets 41,secured to the ends of the plate H and in each of which are mountedrollers z", the pivots of which are adjustable by means of screws andjam-nuts '5 11 The rollers t" bear upon the inner portion of the uppersurface of the ring F, as shown in Fig. 2. By this construction Iprovide for the ready movement of the upper limb or plate 11 upon saidring. The upper limb H. is adapted to be moved upon its center either byan abrupt movement where considerable distance is to be covered or byfine and graduated movement for the purpose of close calculation. In theformer case its movement is independent of the teeth on the periphery ofthe ring F. In the latter case the movement is imparted through themedium of said teeth. The mechanism by which these results areaccomplished is shown particularly in Figs. 1 and 8. It consists, ashere shown, of a worm J, adapted to engage with the teeth f upon saidring F and adapted to be rotated by hand. The worm J is controlled by ashaft j, both being mounted in the bracket j. The latter is pivoted tothe outwardly-extending portion h of the plate H by means of pivotj jdesignates the center hearing, by means of which one end of the shaftj,carrying the worm J, is mounted. The outwardly-extending portion 72. ofthe plate His provided with a slot 77, through which projects the screw71 secured to the bracketj. The upper end of this screw above theportion h is provided with a nut 77. for clamping the portion h and thebracket j together. The bracket j is provided with an upwardly-extendingportion j, through which passes adjusting-screw and jam-screwy, thefunctions of each of which will be obvious.

When it is desired to move the upper limb or plate H by means of theworm, the latter is brought into engagement with the teeth f and thebracket supporting the worm is clamped in that position in the mannerjust described. If, however, it were desired to move the plate aconsiderable distance, as when leveling the instrument, the operator maydisengage the worm from the ring F by unclamping the portion h and thebracket jin other words, by loosening the nut h. The bracket may then beswung away from the ring F and out of engagement with the teeth of thecarriage.

H designates an index secured to the upper limb or plate H and coactingwith the graduations on the ring or annulus G.

The free end of the shaftj of the worm J is provided with a graduatedhand-wheel K, so arranged as to turn said shaftj or to turnindependently of said shaft. This is best illustrated in Fig. 1. Asindicatedin dotted lines in said figure, the free end of the shaft j istapered, and the wheel K is provided with a correspondingly-taperedbearing. The extreme end of the shaft j is preferably threaded andprovided with a nut 70, by means of which the wheel may be rigidlysecured to the shaft j. When it is desired to turn the wheel Kindependently of the shaft j, (which is the case under certainconditions to be hereinafter referred to,) nut may be unscrewed, and thewheel will be free to revolve. When it is desired that they shall movetogether, the nut is simply screwed against the face of the wheel K.

70 designates-a pointer or index secured at one end to the bracketj. Itsfree end coacts with a graduation K on the periphery of the wheel K. Thescale K in the present instance is in two parts, the graduations on eachpart representing sixty minutes. One complete turn of the wheelwhen theworm turns with it will through the medium of the latter move the plateH two degrees over the scale G on the ring or annulus G. It is desirablethat one part of the scale K should be differentiated from the other,since, as hereinafter explained, it is designed that one part of saidscale shall be used in conjunction with certain of the graduations uponthe scale G, the other part being used in conjunction with the remaininggraduations upon said scale. I therefore prefer, where a twopart scaleis used upon the wheel K, to color one part or to provide it with asemicircular black mark, such as the mark 10 as shown in Fig. 1. It isnot important that the degree-marks upon the scale G be characterized bytwo different colors or other indicia or that the minute-scale K on thewheel K be in two parts, as I may, if desired, divide the marks upon thescale G into three sorts, each sort being difierentiated from another bya diderent color, and the same thing may be done with respect to thescale K upon the wheel K, said scale being provided with three groups ofgraduations, each group distinguishable from another group and designedto be used with the corresponding sort of graduations upon the scale G.If so graduated, the wheel K when rigidly secured to the shaftj wouldmove the index H the distance of three degrees over the scale G.

Turning now to the mechanism coacting directly with the telescope, Ldesignates a vertical guide provided with rabbet-s 1, one of which inthe present instance is adjustable toward and from the other by means ofscrews Z. This guide is supported by arms 5 the lower ends of which aresecured upon the plate H in any suitable manner. ithin this guideoperates a screw-box M, provided in its interior with the female threadm. m designates a vertical screw-shaft provided over a portion of itslength with male thread 471 engaging with the female thread m. The lowerend of the screw shaft is mounted in a center bearing m as shown in Fig.To the lower portion of thescrewshaft m is secured in any suitablemanner the range-disk N, the periphery of which is provided with teeth'a, with which engage corresponding teeth formed on the pe riphery ofpinion of. The latter pinion is provided with a turning-handle. (Shownin detail in Fig. 11.) The upper surface of the range-disk N (shown indetail in Fig. 4) is provided with a spiral groove'n, and alongthe edgeof said groove are marked graduations indicating distance and bearingrelation to the screw-shaft and to the upward movement of the screw-boxM, caused by said screwshaft. This graduation has relation to thechanging angle of depression of the telescope which results from theoperation of bringing the horizontal hair into coincidence with aparticular portion of the distant object and compensates for thevariation in the angle of depression due to the curvature of the earthsscrew 8.

surface and also to the variation in this angle of depression due torefraction of the atmosphere.

Passing for a moment the vertical movement of the screw-box M and itsobject and turning to the mechanism coacting immediately with therange-disk N, O designates a plate secured at its ends to the upper limbH,

preferably by means of screws 0. This plate extends inwardly toward thescrew-shaft m and is provided at or near its inner end with aleaf-spring 0', the end of which is pivoted at 0 upon said plate. Thisspring is provided with the movable index-carriage P. (Shown in detailin Figs. 5 and 6.} As here illustrated, this consists of a blockprovidedwith four rollers 19 and p. The rollers pare provided with grooves ofsuch dimension as to engage with the edges of the leaf-spring O. Theinner surface of the block is preferably provided with a recess 19 tofacilitate moving the block upon the spring when the latter is curved.The carriage P is provided with a pointed index p to indicate upon thescale on the disk the reading to be taken. Q designates adjusting-rodspivoted at Q to pro jections on the inner side of the leaf-spring 0'.These adjusting-rods pass through perforations in the binding-posts R.(Shown in detail in Fig. 7.) Since it is essential that the posts Bshould have a limited rotary movement upon the plate 0, provision ismade for that end by securing said posts through the medium of screws 7and washers r. The adjusting-rods Q are secured in position in theperforations in the posts by means of setscrews r It will thus be seenthat the leafspring 0 may be givenany desired curvature and clamped inthat position by means of the adjusting-rods. Of the latter there may beany number. I have shown three of such rods in Fig.4.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a modification of the apparatus last described,the same consisting of a radial arm U, pivoted upon the screw-shaft mand provided at its free end with an'enlarged head it, having elongatedslot 11.. This head is provided with a scale or graduation n coactingwith the mark or other indication a upon the upper limb or plate H. ndesignates a set-screw passing through the slot to and received inathreaded perforation in the plate H. Vdesignates an index-arm orfollower, pivoted at V upon the radial arm U and provided at its outerend with a pin V of such dimension as to follow in the spiral groove 71.When such device is used, the reading is taken at the point where thepin v 'conies to rest.

Turning again to the screw-box M, S designates an outwardly-projectingarm secured to said screwbox and having mounted upon it a bracket 3,adjustable upon said arrn S and capable of being clamped thereto by Thebracket 3 is grooved at s and is provided with an index 3 It will beapparent that the bracket and arm have move- &

ment in a Vertical plane in coincidence with that of the screw-box M.

T designates a telescope. any desired construction. It is mounted uponthe bar T, the outer end of which is pivoted upon the arm '6, securedupon the upper limb or plate H.

t designates a spirit-level secured to the bar T. The inner end of thebar T is provided with a beveled edge t coacting with the groove 3 inthe bracket 8. Said bar is provided at a point adjacent to said beveledportion with a graduation with which the index 3 upon the bracket 8coacts.

The operation of the device is as follows: As stated in the preamble,the finder is designed to be located on an elevation, the height of thatelevation being known. It is first oriented, and this is done by meansof the scale or graduation on the outer surface of the ring or annulusG, which scale or graduation is numbered from 1 to 360 degrees. As willbe readily understood, when the device is oriented the line passingthrough O to 180 degrees of this graduation will run north and south.The facility with which my device may be oriented is of importance. Thusif the direction of a certain fixed point relatively to the point oflocation of the device is known it is only necessary to direct thetelescope upon that point. The ring G may then be turned so that theindex H will point to the number of degrees indicating, approximately,the direction of the distant object. It will be observed that the scaleG, employed upon the ring or annulus G, is provided with black marksindicating alternate degrees. In other words, each mark represents onedegree, and the white space between two marks represents another. Aftersighting through the telescope the ring G is turned so that the index Hwill point to a figure on said ring representing, approximately, theposition of the distant object in degrees and parts of a degree. Theremaining adjustment is effected by the hand-wheel K and worm J, theoperation of which corrects the indication by the index H, so that itshall point to that part of the graduation indicating accurately theposition of the distant object, not only in degrees, but in parts of adegree. Thus if the azimuth of the distant object upon which thetelescope is directed be one hundred and eighty-eight degrees and thirtyminutes the ring G is turn ed, by means of the pinion g, so as to bringthe index H opposite a point upon said ring indicating this readingthatis, if one of the black marks represents one hundred andeighty-eight'degrees the ring is turned until the index shall be nearthe middle of the black mark. The hand-wheel K is now revolvedindependently of the shaftj to such a point that the index it willindicate, according to the scale on the wheel adjacent to the black mark10 thereon, thirty minutes. The hand-wheel is then made fast to theshaft j This may be of and turned back to zero. This, through theoperation of the worm, will move the index over the ring a distancerepresenting thirty minutes. If such movement carries the index beyondthe edge of the black mark indicatin g one hundred and eighty-eightdegrees, the ring G is again turned, by means of the pinion g, so thatthe index shall coincide with the edge of that mark. The hand-wheel isthen again operated until the indexlc indicates thirty minutes, whichoperation, causing a corresponding movement of the upper limb or plateH, will give the true indication by the index H upon the scale on thering G. The device is'now oriented.

The instrument the operation of which has thus far been described is ofgreat utility for the simple determination of azimuths and angles. If itbe desired to obtain the angle between a distant object and the devicerelatively to the north and south line, it is only necessary to turn thehand-wheel K until the telescope has been brought to such a point as tobear upon that distant object. This will give a reading representing aline between the device and the distant object, and this line, inconjunction with the reading first obtained, will give the angle made bythe second line with the first.

Suppose, now, that it is desired to determine accurately the position ofa distant vessel, the device having been oriented, as above described.The hand-wheel K is turned so as to move the upper limb or plate H andits attached mechanism in such manner as to enable a sight to be takenthrough the telescope upon the vessel. Ordinarily the telescope willthen be so arranged as that the vertical hair of the telescope will bearupon any determinative point of the vessel-for instance, theforemast--and the horizontal hair upon the water-line. This isaccomplished not only by revolving the wheel K, so as to bring thetelescope around to the proper direction, but also by the operation ofthe pinion M, which rotates the range-disk N, which in turn operates thescrew-shaft m and elevates or depresses the end (in this instance theinner end) of the telescope. This operation causes the movement of theindexcarriage in the groove 01, so that when the horizontal hair of thetelescope coincides with the water-line of the vessel a reading had uponthe surface of the range-disk N at the point of the index 19 willindicate the range. Also the reading upon the scale or graduation of thering G at the point indicated by the index H and that on the scale orgraduation K of the wheel K at the point indicated by the index willrepresent the azimuth of the distant point.

The scale upon the bar T indicates, in conjunction with the index 3 onthe bracket 8, the height of the telescope above the water. The positionof the brackets upon the arm S is changed in coincidence with changes inthe tide, so that that graduation upon the scale indicated by the index:5 will at all times represent the true elevation of the telescope abovethe water.

The graduations on the spiral groove n in the range-disk N are soarranged as to compensate for the contour of the earths surface and fornormal refraction. Provision is made for compensating for abnormalrefraction in the means for rotating and bending the leaf-spring O andclam ping it in position. The position of this spring is fixed by theposition of several bench-marks of varying distancesfrom the point oflocation of the device. When so arranged, it represents the variation ofthe actual water-surface from the water-surface as it exists undernormal conditions. As a result of the manipulation described twoindications are obtained, the first of which (obtained by the reading ofthe scale G at the index H, giving degrees, and that of the scale K atthe index k, giving parts of a degree) represents the azimuth of thedistant object. The other indication is given by the reading on therange-disk N, and, as heretofore indicated, represents the distance ofthe object from the point of location of the device.

I wish it understood that I do not limit myself to the means shown anddescribed for mounting the telescope with respect to the use of a fixedpivotal point at the outer end and a movable index at the inner end, asthese instrumentalities may, as will be readily understood, be reversedwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. It will also beunderstood that the apparatus may be used for the purpose ofascertaining the range of a distant object .without determining itsposition by polar coordinates. It may also be used for the purpose ofdetermining the angle between two points, such as the angle between thepoint of location of the device and a distant object to any other andknown line-such, for instance, as the north and south line.

I attach importance to the use of a spiral groove on a graduatedrange-disk which possesses the advantages, among others, that it permitsthe index to be moved radially with respect to the groove therein and tothus adjust according to the law of variation in range due to verticalchange of a telescope, and, further, it permits the graduations tooccupy a considerable space, and thus conduces to ease and accuracy ofreading.

I claim l. A device for locating a distant point, comprising incombination a frame, an annulus movably mounted in said frame andcarrying a scale, means for moving said annulus with respect to theframe, an upper limb pivotally movable with respect to the frame andsaid annulus, an index carried by said limb and cooperating with thescale on said annulus, and a sighting instrument having movementcoincident with said limb, substantially as set forth.

incident with said limb, substantially as set forth.

3. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe, an annulus movably carried by said frame-and having a scale orgraduations thereon, separate adjusting devices for moving the annuluswith respect to said frame, an upper limb, an index carried therebycooperating with the scale on the annulus, a sighting instrument carriedby the limb, and mechanism carried by the limb and coperating with theframe for moving the limb with respect to said frame and annulus,substantially as set forth.

4. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe, an annulus movably carried by said frame and having a scale orgraduations thereon, separate adjusting devices for moving the annuluswith respect to said frame, an upper limb, an index carried therebycodperating with the scale on the annulus, a sighting instrument carriedby the limb, and mechanism carried by the limb and codperating with theframe for moving the limb with respect to said frame and annulus, saidmechanism being capable of disengagement from said frame, substan tiallyas set forth.

5. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe, an annu lus movably carried by said frame, means for moving saidannulus with respect to the frame, an upper limb movable pivotally withrespect to the frame and annulus, a scale carried by the annulus, anindex carried by the limb and codperating with said scale, and asighting instrument carried by said limb, substantially as set forth.

6. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe, an annulus movably carried by the frame, a scale on said annulus,a limb pivotally movable with respect to the annulus and said frame, anindex carried by the limb cooperating with said scale, mechanism carriedby the limb and codperating with the frame for moving the annulusrelatively to the frame, and a scale carried by said mechanism forefiecting a reading in cooperation with the scale on the annulus,substantially as set forth.

7. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe,,an upper limb movable pivotally with respect to said frame, asighting instrument carried by the frame, a bracket pivoted to saidlimb, a worm carried in the bracket and engaging teeth on said frame,whereby said bracket may be swung pivotally to engage and disengage theworm with said teeth, substantially as set forth.

8. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe, an upper limb movable pivotally with respect to said frame, asighting instrument carried by the frame, a bracket pivoted to saidlimb, a worm carried in the bracket and engaging teeth on said frame,whereby said bracket may be swung pivotally to engage and disengage theworm with said teeth, and a handle for operating said worm, and meansfor connecting and disconnecting said handle from the worm,substantially as set forth.

9. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination aframe, an upper limb movable pivotally with respect to said frame, asighting instrument carried by the frame, a bracket pivoted to saidlimb, a worm carried in the bracket and engaging teeth on said framewhereby said bracket may be swung pivotally to engage and disengage theworm with said teeth, athandle for operating said worm, means forconnecting and disconnecting said handle from the worm, a scale carriedby said handle, and an index cooperating with said scale, substantiallyas set forth.

10. A device for locating a distant point, comprisingin combination apivotally-mounted limb, a sighting instrument carried by said limb andpivotally movable in a vertical plane, a slide for sustaining the freeend of said sighting instrument, a screw for actuating said slide, adisk movable with the screw and provided with a graduated spiral groove,and an index engaging said groove, substantially as set forth.

11. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination apivotally-mounted limb, a sighting instrument carried by said limb andpivotally movable in a vertical plane, a slide for sustaining the freeend of said sighting instrument, a screw for actuating said slide, adisk movable with the screw and provided with a graduated spiral groove,an index engaging said groove, and means for compensating for abnormalrefraction, substantially as set forth.

12. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination apivotally-mounted limb, a sighting instrument carried by said limb andpivotally movable in a vertical plane, a slide for sustaining the freeend of said sighting instrument, a screw for actuating said slide, adisk movable with the screw and provided with a graduated spiral groove,an index engaging said groove, and a flexible support for said indexcapable of adjustment to compensate for abnormal refraction,substantially as set forth.

13. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination apivotally-mounted supporting-limb turning in a horizontal plane, atelescope pivoted to said limb and movable in a vertical plane, anadjustable support for the free end of said telescope, said supportbeing adjustable in a horizontal plane, substantially as set forth.

14. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination apivotally-mounted supporting-limb turning in a horizontal plane, atelescope pivoted to said limb and movable in a vertical plane, anadjustable support for the free end of said telescope, said supportbeingadjustableinahorizontalplane, and an index with which said supportcooperates, substantially as set forth.

15. A device for locating a distant point, comprisingin combination apivotally-mounted supporting-limb turning in a horizontal plane, atelescope pivoted to said limb and movable in a vertical plane, anadjustable support for the free end of said telescope, said supportbeing adjustable in a horizontal plane, and a spirit-level carried bysaid telescope, substantially as set forth.

16. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination apivoted limb movable in a horizontal plane, a bar pivoted to said limband movable in a vertical plane, a telescope carried by said bar, ascale on said bar, and a vertically-movable support for the free end ofsaid telescope, said support carrying an index cooperating with saidscale, substantially as set forth.

17. Aposition-determiningdevicecomprising a member having a graduatedscale and capable of revoluble movement, means for transmitting suchmovement thereto, a pivotally-mounted member having independent movementcoincident with that of a sighting instrument, and a worm feed formoving said pivotally-mounted member relatively to the graduated scaleupon said revoluble member,

said worm feed having a graduated scale adapted to operate with saidworm feed or to have movement independent thereof, substantially as setforth.

18. A position-determining device,comprising a member having a graduatedscale and capable of revoluble movement, means for transmitting suchmovement thereto, a pivotally-mounted member having independent movementcoincident with that of a sighting instrument, a feeding-worm normallycooperating with said pivotally-mounted member for moving the latterrelatively to the graduated scale on said revoluble member, means fordisconnecting the feeding-worm from the pivotally-mounted member, and ascale normally cooperating with the feeding-worm but arranged to havemovement independent thereof, substantially as set forth.

19. Aposition-determiningdevice comprising a member havingagraduatedscale, a pivotally-mounted member having independent movement, an indexcontrolled by said pivotally-mounted member and coacting with saidgraduated scale, a sighting instrument carried by said pivotally-mountedmember, a screw adjustment intermediate of said instrument and saidmember for elevating or de- IIO pressing one end of said instrument, anda graduated scale indicating the degree of such elevation or depression,substantially as set forth.

20. A position-determining device comprising a revoluble member having agraduated scale, a pivotally-mounted member having independent movement,an index carried by said pivotally-mounted member and coacting with saidgraduated scale, a sighting instrument carried by or connected with saidpivotally-mounted member, mechanism intermediate of said instrument andsaid member for elevating or depressing one end of said instrument, anda disk and index coacting therewith and indicating by scale the range ofa distant object seen through said instrument, substantially as setforth.

21. A position-determining device compris-' ing a revoluble memberhaving a graduated scale, a pivotally-mounted member having independentmovement, an index Whose movement is controlled by saidpivot-allymounted member, a sighting instru ment supported upon orconnected with said pivotallymounted member, a revoluble disk mountedupon said pivotally-mounted member, mechanism intermediate of said diskand said instrument, whereby the revolution of the former effects theelevation or depression of one end of said instrument, and mechanismcoacting with said disk to indicate the range of a distant object seenthrough said instrument, substantially as set forth.

22. A position-determinin g device com prising a revoluble member havinga graduated scale, a pivota'lly-mounted member having independentmovement, an index whose movement is controlled by said pivotallymountedmember, a sighting instrumentsupported upon or connected with saidpivotallymounted member, a revolnble disk mounted upon saidpivotally-mounted member, means for imparting revoluble movement to saiddisk, mechanism intermediate of said disk and said instrument wherebythe revolution of the former effects the elevation or depression of oneend of said instrument, and mechanism coacting with said disk toindicate the range of a distant object seen through said instrument,substantially as set forth.

23. A position-determining device comprising a revoluble member having agraduatedscale, a pivotally-mounted member having independent movement,an index Whose movement is controlled by said pivotallymounted member, asighting instrument supported upon or connected with saidpivotallymounted member, a revoluble disk mounted upon saidpivotally-mounted member, said disk havinga graduated scale, mechanismintermediate of said disk and said instrument whereby the revolution ofthe former effects the elevation or depression of one end of saidinstrument, and mechanism coasting with the graduated scale upon saiddisk toindicate the range of a distantobject, substantially as setforth.

24. A device for locating a distant point, comprising in combination apivotally-mounted supporting-limb turning in a horizontal plane, atelescope pivoted to said limb and movable in a vertical plane, anadjustable support for the free end of said telescope, said supportbeing adjustable in a horizontal plane, a scale cooperating with saidadjustable support, and a spirit-level carried by said telescope,substantially as set forth.

25. In a device for locating a distant point, the combination with anannulus carrying a scale composed of a plurality of contrasting marks,of a pointer cooperating with said scale, mechanism for moving saidpointer over the scale, and a scale codperating with said mechanism andcomposed of a plurality of contrasting marks corresponding to the 7scale on the annulus, substantially as set forth.

26. In a device for locating a distant point, the combination with anannulus carrying a scale composed of a plurality of contrasting marks,of a pointer codperating with said scale, a Worm connected to thepointer and engaging said annulus, and a drum rotating with the worm andcarrying a scale composed of a plurality of contrasting markscorresponding to the scale on the annulus, substantially as set forth.

This specification sign ed and witnessed this 24th day of March, 1897.WILLIAM VVitnesses:

S. O. Ennonns, J N0. R. TAYLOR.

OQRAFFEIRTY.

